Your First Session

Right, I've chosen my massage. What happens now?

If it's your first appointment, there's one thing I need from you before you arrive.

You'll be asked to complete a short New Client Form. It covers your contact details, relevant health information and treatment consent so I can make sure your massage is safe and appropriate for you.

It usually takes around three minutes, and once that's done, you'll receive the information you need for your appointment, including how to find the studio and where to park.

Why do you need my health information?

Because massage affects your body, and there are some health conditions, medications, recent injuries or surgery that can change how a treatment should be carried out.

That doesn't necessarily mean you can't have a massage. It might simply mean I need to adapt something, avoid a particular area or ask you a little more about it first.

I only need the information that's relevant to treating you safely.

Your information is treated confidentially and used for your treatment and client record.

Okay. What happens when I get there?

You won't be expected to walk through the door and immediately get onto a massage table.

We'll have a brief conversation first.

I'll ask what has brought you in, how you're feeling and what you'd like from the session. If there's somewhere particularly tight or uncomfortable, or something you'd like me to concentrate on, this is a good time to tell me.

It's also your opportunity to ask anything you're unsure about.

That conversation helps me tailor the massage to you rather than simply following the same routine for everybody.

I've come straight from work. Is there somewhere I can shower?

Absolutely.

There's a private shower available before and after your massage if you need it, with fresh towels provided.

Plenty of clients come straight from work, the gym or a long day on the road. You don't need to spend the journey here worrying about whether you're suitably "massage ready".

That's what the shower is there for.

And then what? What am I supposed to wear?

You don't need any special clothing.

When it's time for your massage, you'll have privacy to undress to the level appropriate for your treatment and, importantly, to the level you're comfortable with.

You'll be appropriately covered during the massage, with only the area being worked on uncovered as necessary.

And if you're standing there thinking, "What am I supposed to do with these?", ask me.

I'd much rather answer the question than have you spend the first ten minutes of your massage wondering whether you've left something on that should be off, or taken something off that should be on.

What if there's somewhere I don't want massaged?

Tell me.

Consent doesn't happen once at the beginning of your appointment and then disappear.

You can ask me to avoid an area, change what I'm doing, adjust the pressure or stop the treatment at any point. You don't need to give me a reason.

Likewise, if there's something I don't think is appropriate or safe to work on, I'll explain why.

It's your massage, and your comfort matters throughout it.

Do I have to talk while you're doing it?

No.

Some clients chat. Some barely say a word. Others specifically want to completely switch off.

If that's you, you can ask for a Silent Massage.

I'll still communicate with you when it's necessary for your comfort or safety, but there's absolutely no requirement to keep a conversation going.

You're not responsible for entertaining your massage therapist.

What if the pressure isn't right?

Tell me that too.

If you'd like more pressure, less pressure or want me to spend a little longer somewhere, say so.

Massage isn't an endurance test, and deeper doesn't automatically mean better. Equally, you don't need to lie there thinking, "If he'd just move half an inch to the left..." for twenty minutes.

The treatment can be adjusted as we go.

What happens when the massage finishes?

There's no conveyor belt.

You'll have time to get up and get dressed, and the shower is available afterwards if you'd like to use it. Fresh towels are provided, and there'll be cold water available for you too.

If there's anything useful I've noticed during the treatment, or an area we've spent more time working on, we can talk about that before you leave.

Then you're free to get on with the rest of your day.

Am I going to feel different afterwards?

Quite possibly.

You may feel deeply relaxed, looser through areas that were tight or simply like you've finally stopped carrying your shoulders somewhere around your ears.

If we've done more focused work, you might also notice some temporary tenderness afterwards.

Which naturally leads to the next question:

What's normal after a massage, what should you do afterwards, and is there anything you should avoid?

That's where Guide 3, Recovery & Aftercare, takes over.